Ignition-generator



P. H. BRANDT.

IGNITION GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.23. I917.

1,367,586. Patented Feb. 8,1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

W e/772x" 20 Bra/74f UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IAUL H. W, OI W1). OHIO, ASSIGNOB TO THE TEAGLE comm, OI

WI), OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

IGNITION-GENERATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 8, 1921.

Application filed August 28, 1917. Serial No. 187,790.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PAUL H. BRANDT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Ignition-Generators, ofwhich the following is a specification, reference being had therein tothe accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in electric generators forignition purposes, and is especially a plicable to ignition generatorsof the in uctor alternator type.

The provision of a suitable spark range in inductor generators limitedin dimensions to the standards now generally fixed for internalcombustion engine ignition generators presents a 1groblem difiicult ofsatisfactory solution. umerous constructions designed to effect relativeangular movement between the unwound rotor of the inductor generator anda normally stationary stator ca ing a generating winding, have been trie d out, all of which so far as I am advised have possessed numerousinherent disadvantages. It has been suggested to mount the normallystationary stator 80' that it may be turned about the axis of theunwound rotor to secure the desired advance or retard of the generatedcurrent waves. However, not only has it been found diflicult to mountthe stator effectively and economically to allow for such swinging, butthe electro-magnetic impulses on the stator thus swingably mounted,which occur periodically during the rotation of the unwound rotor tendto stator and its mountings but particularly upon the nry train ofmembers by which the stator is adjusted. Furthermore, such stators Hmrily considerable mass and it is disadvantageous to have this mass freeto swing about the axis of the unwound rotor.

It further has been an to swing both the field magnet, generatingwinding 1d pole pieces about the axis of the unwound rotor, but thisidea is essentially impractical because of the fact that the fieldmagnet mass is unbalanced relative to the axis about which it is swung,the oscillatory vibrations set up are highly objectionable and therequirements for space n was: t

permit the. swinging are ry diflicult to provide where the usualstandard conditions obtain for the mounting of ignition generators oninternal combustion engines.

Again, it has been suggested to connect the rotor at a point outside theignition generator to a driving shaft by a connecting mechanism whichwill permit the rotor as an entirety to be turned angularly relative tothe driving shaft while it is turning the rotor. Owing to the mass ofthe rotor, the stresses placed on an angular adjusting mechanism of thissort have been found to be very severe and the wear and tear to be soconsiderable as to effect lost motion between the parts of the adjustingmechanism within a relatively short period of time.

Further, it has been suggested to interpose between the field structurecarrying the stationary generating winding and the rotatable unwoundinductor an oscillatable sleeve having magnetic and non-magneticsections for field flux shifting purposes. The expense of suchconstructions, together with the undesirable reluctances imposed by themin the magnetic circuit, among other characteristics, have made themcommercially undesirable.

I have thought to solve the problem by reducing to a minimum the mass ofmetal which is angularly adjusted about the axis of the unwound rotor inorder to effect the desired advance and retard of the generated currentwaves, and with this object in view I have provided means for mountingthe flux distributing part of the unwound inductor rotor loosely uponthe shaft of such rotor and connecting it with the said shaft by asuitable device which will cause the flux distributing section always toturn with the rotor, whereas by a relative shiftin of elementscomprising said device the ux dis tributing section may be caused toturn angularly relative to the rotor shaft to efl'ect the desiredadvance or retard of the current waves simultaneously with the advanceor retard of the spark.

My invention further contemplates a simple form of circuit opening andclosing mec anism adapted to be associated with a cam on a rotatingshaft of the i 'tion generator and constructed so that 1) the breakerelectrodes are disposed at one side of the generator where they may bereadily inspected, ('2)" the parts comprising the circuit opening andclosing mechanism are assembled as a unit, which unit may be slidlongitudinally into and out of operating position within the ignitiongenerator, and (3) this unit may be introduced from either side of theignition generator, readily to accommodate the same for either clockwiseor anticlockwise rotation of the unwound rotor For the purpose ofclearly explaining the invention and the manner in which its objects maybe attained, I have illustrated a preferred form of construction in theaccompanying drawings. In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a central longitudinal vertical section of a generatorembodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the broken line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an axial section of one of the parts of the mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the broken line 44 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 5 and 6 are side and end elevations, respectively, of one of theparts of the mechanism.

Referring in detail to the construction illustrated, 1 indicates a lowerpole piece and 2 an upper pole piece. each of which may be made of anysuitable magnetic material. The pole piece 1 is formed with a polarsurface 1 and the pole piece 2 carries polar projections 2, 3, theformer of which has a polar face 2 and the latter a polar face 3, eachof which is opposed to the polar face 1 of the pole piece 1, whileall'three faces are disposed in the arc of a common circle. The polarprojection 3 may consist of a plurality of laminae of soft iron heldtogether by side plates 4, 4, and rivets 4. At their upper ends the sideplates 4, 4, extend beyond the upper edge of the adjacent laminationsand snugly fit over the projection 2 of the upper pole piece and aresecured to the latter by means of bolts 5. The surfaces 2 and 2 of theportion 2* may be suitably ground or made relatively true mechanicallyso as to come into intimate mechanical contact with the adjacent edgesof the la-minations of the polar projection 3 to insure a joint ofrelatively low magnetic reluctance.

6 and 7 are end plates, each formed of non-magnetic metal, such as diecast white metal or metallic alloy of aluminum. The end plate 6 may besecured to the pole pieces 1 and 2 in any suitable manner and may beprovided with shoulders 6'. 6, in order to insure the proper relation ofthese parts. Likewise the end plate 7 may be secured to the lower andupper pole pieces 1 and 2, respectively, in any suitable manner and maybe provided with shoulders 7'. 7, for insuring the proper positioning ofthese parts. In the construction shown the end plates are secured bybolts 6", which pass through both end plates and the pole piece 1, andbolts (3" which pass through both end plates and the pole piece 2. Itwill .be noted that when the four elements comprising the pole pieces 1and 2 and the end plates 6 and 7 are cured together, they formsubstantially a rigid, rectangular frame structure.

8 indicates a flux distributer, preferably formed of laminae of softiron and having polar surfaces 8, 8, shaped and disposed to cooperatewith the polar surfaces 1, 2", and 3. This flux distributing section 8is loosely mounted upon ashaft 9 which in turn is suitably mounted inanti-friction bearings 10 and 11, the former being suitably supported inthe end plate 6 and the latter in the end plate 7. 12 indicates as anentirety means interposed between the flux distributer 8 and the shaft 9for causing the flux distributer to rotate with the shaft 9 whilepermitting it to be adjusted angularly relatively thereto. Preferablythis flux distributer connector and shifter "mechanism 12 comprises asleeve 12 loosely mounted on the shaft 9 and having a flange 12 which isrigidly secured to the flux distributer 8 in any suitable manner, as bymeans of the rivets 13, which also serve to bind together between theside plates 8 and 8. the laminae which constitute the flux distributer.At 12' the sleeve 12' is preferably reduced in diameter and mountedwithin the inner race of the anti-friction bearing 11, so that Whereasit has heretofore been stated that the shaft 9 is mounted in the bearing11, it is indirectly mounted therein, having interposed between it andthe inner race of the bearing the portion 12" of the sleeve 12'. Thesleeve 12' is further reduced in diameter as indicated at 12 andhelicallv grooved internally as indicated at 12. The rear end of theshaft 9 is reduced in diameter as indicated at 9, and longitudinallykey-seated as indicated at 9", there preferably being a plurality ofthese key seats disposed about the periphery of the reduced portion 9and parallel to the axis thereof.

14 is a shiftable sleeve formed internallv with a plurality of keys 14',each of which is adapted snugly to fit into one of the key ways 9 in thereduced portion 9 of the rotor shaft 9. Externally this sleeve 14 isformed with a plurality of helical tongues or splines 14', each of whichis adapted snugly to fit into one of the helical grooves 12 in thesleeve 12'. 15 is a grooved wheel rigidly secured to the outer end ofthe sleeve 14 in any suitable manner.

9' is a collar on the shaft 9, engaging at one side with the inner ringof the antifriction bearing 10 and at its other side with the adjacentend plate 8' of the flux distributer 8. 11 is a screw-threaded collarfitted into a screw-threaded recess in the end plate 7 and 11 is asimilar collar on the sleeve 12', said collars serving properly toposition the anti-friction bearing 11. 16 is a gear wheel fitted uponthe reduced section 12 of the sleeve 12 and secured to turn therewith inany suitable manner. 17 is a cam fitted upon the reduced section 12 ofthe sleeve 12', and suitably secured to turn.

therewith, the cam being secured against endwise movement by a nut onthe sleeve 12. It will be noted that longitudinal movement of the shaft9 toward the bearing 10 is prevented by engagement of the collar 9 withthe inner wall of said bearing, whereas longitudinal movement of theshaft 9 in the opposite direction is prevented by engagement of the-saidshaft with the shoulder 12 on the sleeve 12. Longitudinal movement ofthe flux distributer 8 and sleeve 12 toward the bearing 10 is precludedby the shoulder 9' on the shaft 9, whereas the longitudinal movement ofthese parts in the opposite direction is precluded by the engagement ofthe shoulder 12 on the sleeve 12 with the inner race of the antifrietionbearing 11.

The end plate 7 at its bottom has a forward extension 7 19 is a casingsecured to the extension 7 as by means of cap screws 19", and having achamber 19 disposed to receive the free end of the sleeve 14 and theshifting wheel 15 thereon. 20 is a rock shaft suitably mounted in theupper part of the casing 19., It carries within the casing a pluralityof rocker arms 21, 21, connected by a tubular section 22 with which theyare preferably integrally formed. 23 is a cap screw and pin for securingthe tubular section 22 to the rock shaft 20. At its lower end eachrocker arm carries an antifriction roller 24 disposed within the flangesof the wheel 15 in the well known manner, so that when the rocker arms21 are swung toward the flux distributer 8 they engage the innermostpulley flange and exert inward pressure on the said pulley, whereas whenthey are swung away from the flux distributer they engage the outerpulley flange and force the pulley and sleeve 14 outwardly. Each of therollers 24 is loosely mounted on a stud 25 carried by the adjacentrocker arm. The rock shaft 20 extends outside of the casing 19 andpreferably has secured to one end thereof an operating lever 26.

28 indicates as an entirety circuit closing and opening mechanismpreferably assembled as a unit to be inserted into or withdrawn fromoperative relation with the cam 17 by endwise bodily movement of saidunit. This breaker unit comprises a frame 28' in the form of a slidehaving intermediate its ends a pair of upwardly turned ears 28, a

breaker arm 28 pivotally mounted between said cats 28 on a rod or shaft28, a movable electrode 28 carried at one end of said breaker arm, a camengaging shoe 28 carried at the other endo'f said arm, a breaker armspring 28 and a normally stationary adjustable electrode 28 disposed inthe path ofmovement of the movable electrode 28 and suitably insulated,as indicated, from the slide 28. The shoe 28 may be made of fiber or anyother suitable wear resisting material for engagement with the surfaceof the cam 17. The spring 28 may be ofany suitable construction. I haveshown it to be a flat spring connected at 28 to a lug on the slide 28and at 28 to the breaker arm, the tendencyof this spring being to swingthe movable electrode 28 into engagement with the normally stationaryelectrode 28 This slide 28' is fitted into a guide or seat 7 formed inthe extension 7 of'the front plate 7. Preferably the slide is held inposition within the guide so that the shoe 28 will be inpropefcooperative relation with the cam 17 by means of the screws 19*,19*, which are also used to hold the casing 19 in position.

The end plate 7 has openings 7 e at opposite sides of the forwardextension 7 through which it is possible to insert and withdraw thebreaker unit 28 in either direction. It will be noted that not only maythe unit 28 be inserted from either side of the extension 7, but it alsomay be inserted'with the breaker electrodes at either side of thevertical plane through the axis of the rotor, so as to accommodate thebreaker for proper operation with the cam 17 in either direction ofrotation thereof, that is clockwise or anticlockwise. i

In other words the same breaker assembly can as a unit, be usedinterchangeably on generators operating in either clockwise orcounter-clockwise directions. The advantages of this in manufacture areobvious.

Any suitable distributer mechanism may be employed in connection withthe ignition generator. For the purpose I have illustrated one which isdesignated as an entirety by 30. It comprises a distributer cap '30 ofsuitable insulating material which carries a plurality of distributercontacts 30 from each of which a high tension lead 30 extends in thewell known manner. This distributer cap 30 may be fitted to the endplate in any suitable manner so as to be readily detachable forinspection purposes. This connection I have shown to be accomplished atthe top of the distributer cap by means of a pivoted bolt 30 andat thebottom thereof by means of screw clamps 30. 30 is a distributer brushsuitably mounted in a rotatable block 3O of insulating material, whichbrush is electrically connected to the brush .30 in an suitable manneras by means of gear 16 on the sleeve 12 and havin section of insulatingmaterial having a. hub section to receive the hub of the section 30 andat its inner end an insulating flan e. 31 is a distributer gear meshingwith t e a hub 31 which firmly engages the hub o the insulating section30". The gear 31 may be secured to the sections-30 and 30" in any wellknown manner. This hub 31' is rotatably mounted in a bearing bushing 32suitably supported in an enlarged portion 7 of the front plate 7.

33 is a generating windin It may be of any desired construction.Treferably it is wound on the polar projection 3, a portion intermediatethe ends thereof serving as a laminated core for the winding. Thewinding is suitably insulated in any well known manner and when thepolar projection 3 is connected to the pole piece 2, the winding 33 isproperly disposed in inductive relation in the magnetic field betweenthe poles 1 and 2. This winding 33 I have shown to be constituted of arelatively coarse wire, or primary section, 33', surrounded by a sectionof relatively fine wire, or secondary winding, 33W One terminal of thewinding 33 is electrically connected to a terminal 34 with which engagesthe brush 30*. The terminal 34 may be extended upwardly, as indicated at34, so as to form between the free end thereof and an adjacent metallicpart of the generator, such as one of the bolts 5, a safety air gap forthe high tension circuit.

'llhe other end of the secondary winding 33 and one terminal of theprimary winding 33 are electrically connected in the usual manner toeach other and to an electric conductor which extends to and iselectrically connected with the normally stationary electrode 28 Theother end of the primary winding 33' and also the movable electrode 28are suitably grounded.

35 is a condenser of any suitable construction which may be suitablypositioned and held in a recess 7' in the end plate 7. This condenser isconnected in parallel across the electrodes 28 and 28. in the usualmanner.

All of the parts heretofore described may be assembled adjusted andproperly correlated before the permanent magnets 36 are introduced intoplace. Preferably these magnets consist of straight sections of suitablemagnet steel each of which at its upper end makes magnetic contact withthe pole piece 2 and at its lower end with the pole piece 1. The magnetsare preferably arranged in groups, one group at either side of the fieldstructure, and with all of the poles of one polarity in magnetic contactwith one pole piece and all of the poles of opposite polarity in contactwith the other pole piece. For example, all of the north poles of themagnets at either side of the pole piece 2 will be in magnetic contactwith said pole piece, whereas all of the south poles of the magnet willbe in magnetic contact with the pole piece 1. The magnets may be held inposition in any suitable manner, as by means of screws 37- which extendtherethrough and are fitted into the adjacent pole piece.

The casing 19 may be provided with a cap 19 suitably held in positionthereon. An

-oil duct 19 may extend downwardly through the cap 19 and casing 19 andhave an inward extension 19 along the axis of the rotor, the inner endof the duct 19 being disposed so as to deliver oil to the interior ofthe sleeve 14 to insure the proper lubrication thereof. The oil maycollect in the chamber 19 so that the wheel 15 runs therein anddistributes it over the anti-friction rollers 24 and also onto thesleeve 14 so as to insure the proper lubrication of the sleeve 14 withinthe sleeve 12. The sleeve 12 is preferably made of non-magneticmaterial, such as brass, and the sleeve 14 may be made either ofmagnetic or non-magnetic material, as desired.

The end 9 of the shaft 9 is shaped to be connected with any suitabledriving mechanism so as to be continuously rotated in one. directionthereby during the operation of the ignition generator. The angle of thehelical grooves 12 and splines 14 is such that when the sleeve 14 isrotated in either direction by the shaft 9, the sleeve 12' will berotated in the same direction, whereas if it is desired to adjust theflux distributer 8 angularly in either direction in relation to theshaft 9 during the rotation of the latter, and simultaneously with theadvance or retard of the spark the same is accomplished by movingaxially in one direction or the other the sleeve 14 through theinstrumentality of the anti-friction rollers 24 and wheel 15, whichlongitudinal movement of the sleeve 14 will, through the helical splines14 and grooves 12*, effect the desired angular swing of the fluxdistributer 8 and the breaker cam 17 relative to the shaft 9. l he massof the flux distributer 8 and sleeve 12' may be maintained relativelylow, so that the amount of energy necessary to effect the angularshifting of these parts in either direction is relatively small.

The operation of my improved generator will readily be understoodwithout an extended description. Assuming movement of the rotor in thedirection indicated by the circuit opening and closing mechanism 28,operatin in timed relation to the movement of the ux distributer, servesto close and open the circuit through the coarse section of thegeneratin winding at suitable points to effect generation of the hightension ignition current; preferably the said circuit is closed andopened during decrease of flux through the generating winding, thecircuit being opened for the production of the high tensioned currentwhen the decrease of flux is at its maximum. The collapse of the fieldthrou h the generating coil due to the opening 0 the coarse wire circuitand the rotation of the flux distributer serve to generate a hightension ignition current in the fine wire section of the winding in awell known manner. The distributer 30, operating synchronously with theflux distributer and the breaker cam, serves in the well known manner toconduct the high tension current to one or another of the spark plugs ofthe engine in connection with which the generatoris used.

When, under the various conditions of operation, it is desired toadvance or retard the spark, this is efiected by simply shifting theoperating lever 26 and thereby correspondingly shiftin the sleeve14endwise so as to adjust the s eeve 12' forwardl or' backwardly on theshaft 9. his ad ustment of the sleeve 12' effects corresponding angularadjustment of the flux distributer 8 and the cam 17, so that with theadvance and retard of the s ark the flux distributer is simultaneously a'usted to maintain the generation of the ignition current at the pointof maximum voltage.

Should it be desired to adapt the breaker mechanism for o ration of thenerator in the 0 site irection from t at indicated in i 2, it is onlynecessary to remove the sli e 28 of the breaker mechanism and the partsmounted thereon, and replace it in reverse position.

The device which I provide for the adjustment of the flux distributeraccomplishes the desired object in a thoroughly effective manner andbecause of the relatively light weight of the parts adjusted and thelarge bearing surfaces of the several splines and grooves by which thetrain of adjusting elements are connected, shock and vibration arereduced to a minimum.

Furthermore, the structure is exceedingly compact, the overalldimensions of the gen erator being little different from those of agenerator without the adjusting feature and at the same time it has theadvantage 0 a self-contained unit.

It is to be understood that the construction illustrated can be variedwidel without departing from my invention, e particular constructionshown having been set forth for purposes of explanation and without theintention of in any way limiting the invention.

What I claim is: 1. In an inductor ignition nerator, the

combination of a stationary eld structure, a stationary generatingwinding disposed in inductive relation to said field structure, a shaftrotatably mounted in said field structure, an unwound flux distributerloosely mounted on the shaft, a sleeve rigid with the flux distributerand loosel mounted on said shaft, a cam rotatable with the sleeve, meansconnecting the sleeve and shaft to cause them to rotate together andpermit the sleeve to be adjusted angularly relatively to the shaft toadvance or retard the flux distributer and cam simultaneously, andcircuit opening and closing mechanism for the generating windingarranged to be actuated by said cam.

2. In an inductor ignition generator, the combinationof a stationaryfield structure, a stationary generating winding disposed in inductiverelation to said field structure, a shaft rotatably mounted in saidfield structure, an unwound flux distributer loosely mounted on theshaft, a sleeve rigid with the flux distributer and loosely mounted onsaid shaft, a driving device between the shaft and sleeve having anaxially elongated tongue and groove connection with the shaft and thesleeve, one. of said tongue and groove connections being helical, andmeans for shifting said driving device longitudinally of the shaft toangularly advance or retard the sleeve and flux distributer relative tothe shaft.

3. In an inductor ignition generator, the combination of a stationaryfield structure, a stationary generating winding disposed in inductiverelation to said field structure,

a shaft rotatably mounted in said field structure, an unwound fluxdistributer loosely mounted on the shaft, a sleeve rigid with the fluxdistributer and loosely mounted on said shaft, a second sleeve keyed tosaid shaft to slide longitudinally thereon and having a helical tongueand groove connection with the first named sleeve and means for shiftingthe keyed sleeve longitudinally of the shaft to advance or retard theflux distributer in relation thereto.

the outer end of the keyed sleeve, an oil chamber surrounding saidwheel, and means disposed in said chamber for moving the wheel axially.

5. In an ignition generator, the combination of a frame structure formedwith a seat, a cam mounted to rotate in said frame structure intransverse alinement with said seat, and a circuit closing and openingmechanism comprising a frame formed to fit said seat, a stationaryelectrode member mounted on the second frame, a movable electrode membermounted on the second frame and having a cam engaging surface, and meansfor holding the second frame in said seat in cooperative relation to thecum.

6. In an ignition generator, the combinamemes tion of a frame structureformed with a seat, a cam mounted to rotate in said frame structure inalinement with 'said seat, and a circuit closing and openin mechanismcomprising a second frame ormed to fit the seat, a stationary electrodeon the second frame, a breaker arm with an electrode and a cam en agingshoe mounted on the second frame, said second frame and parts thereonbeing reversible as a unit relative to the seat so as to locate the saidshoe at either side of theaxis of the cam to adapt the mechanism forrotation of the cam in either direction.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature. I

, PAUL H. BRANDT.

